I have a positive habit of appreciating things, no matter how big or small. I'm not entirely sure where this mindset came from but I want more people to have it! We all get really sad at times, often over minor things whilst there are people on the other side of the world dealing with things 1000x worse; hunger, poverty, natural disasters. I feel selfish to cry in a super warm, double bed with a roof over my head whilst others would be over the moon to get a pair of shoes or even a book.
A few weeks ago, I was driving my car doing my usual, boring 40 mile journey to and from college when the sun shone onto the dashboard and I suddenly paid more attention to its details. I always told myself I'd never take my car for granted when I got one, but I had done just that. I'd taken for granted all the effort I put in to get this car and despite such a long boring journey, it beats being on a busy bus with childish students. Although my car has many problems, it doesn't run smoothly and isn't the most popular, I'm still richer than most - how could I take that for granted?
Just now, I was walking upstairs with my phone which was on the calculator and I randomly remembered the first calculators/computers being huge mechanical machines but I have both a calculator and the internet inside a thin phone yet I rarely appreciate them.
I appreciate water coming out the tap - pure, clean, disease free water that is wasted a considerable amount by us. People are dying every day because they don't have this basic need fulfilled.
When you wake up early for school/college/work and you grumble about having to do something that day, remind yourself how lucky you are to be waking up in a warm bed, knowing you have food waiting for you in the kitchen and the ability to have a shower, whilst you get up for education or money. It may be a pain to us but our way of life is a dream to others. There are millions of young people who wish to have an education or they wish they could have a job to support their family. We mainly have jobs to support ourselves, whilst these people with nothing want jobs to get money to support others.
This is the reason why it bugs me when young people who have free education choose to mitch lessons, they don't take it seriously and don't care about failing their exams. There's always a child out there who would be more than willing to take their place and would excel at it because they appreciate the opportunity. Most children from third world countries aspire to be doctors/lawyers/surgeons which usually exceeds the aspirations of those who actually have access to free education of a high standard.
Appreciation is part of the key to happiness. People don't realise how lucky they are nowadays and it certainly uplifts your mood when you realise how good you have it. It also puts things into perspective. Although it's emotionally painful, crying over a break-up is nothing compared to crying over starvation.
So next time you get water out of the tap, when you snuggle up in bed, read a book, go to school or put on your new shoes, appreciate what you have! You are one of the lucky ones and there is always something to appreciate.
Most Helpful Opinions